Low-power tube amp kits

See also:

Moonlight Amp - 1 watt tube amp project - I am considering building a tube amp, and I am leaning toward this one. 1 watt (or much lower) is the right range for private amp-cranking without the housemates hearing much. This project is at the AX84 site, where there are several experienced designers to contribute. There will be a parts list for easy ordering of parts. I expect the cost to be low. This is a good way to support the DIY community. Using a DIY approach will help motivate designers at actual companies to dramatically reduce their power level. The guitar-gear industry has not yet come through (with rare exceptions) with a truly, adequately low-power tube amp -- send them a message by boycotting the industry and building your own low-power tube amp.

London Power

10W 6V6 Power Amplifier Kit

Classic circuit comprising a single-gain-stage plus concertina splitter and push-pull 6V6 output stage. Separate bias
controls are provided for each output tube. The output transformer is the same custom shielded Hammond device used in the
LONDON POWER Powered Preamps.

The output can be wired for 4-ohm, 8-ohm or 16-ohm. Line-level-input and output jacks are 1/4" Switchcraft open-frame
types, while the tube sockets are all PC-mounted. Kit includes a schematic and layout, one 12AX7, two 6V6s and all other
passive components. Each 10W Power Amplifier requires a separate power supply of its own - see 48VA Power Supply Kit.

Weight: 2kg
US & International: $100 US - includes Air Mail

10W EL84 Power Amplifier Kit

This is the same as the 6V6 amp above, but uses EL84s for a British sound.

Each kit contains:

schematic

a suggested circuit-card (eyelet-board) layout and wiring diagram

resistors

capacitors

transformers

chokes

potentiometers

diodes

tubes

PC-mounted tube sockets

Switchcraft 1/4" jacks

required switches

To build a working unit, you separately purchase at this page:

chassis

wire

solder

circuit card

eyelets
power supply (see 48VA Power Supply Kit>

Each kit includes a suggested layout drawing for a circuit card. The required eyelets and staking tool are separate items. The CIRCUIT CARD KIT contains enough material to construct cards for a power amp, preamp and power supply.

Antique Electronics Supply - kits

Antique Electronics Supply offers low-power tube amp kits, such as a 2x15 watt hi fi amp kit with parts for just $100. Their paper catalog is available, but the Projects page of the site is still under construction and empty.

[need way more information]

Note this kit from them: 2-tube headphone amplifier kit $24.95. Boosts the output of small receivers approximately 7 times (varies with tube selection, output load and B+ voltage). Compatible with other radio kits. Need only a screwdriver, pliers and soldering iron to assemble. Includes instructions and all parts except for tube, headphones and batteries. Uses 1A5, 1C5, 1T5, 3Q5, 1L4, IU4, 1U5, 1S4, 3S4 or 3Q5 tubes (any two in combination (order separately). Operates on 2 - 1.5V "C" size batteries and 45 to 90V battery. 1.0 lb. (Recommended headphone P-A466 or other 2000 ohm headphone, order separately).

I know some such amps are in development. There is a definite trend -- look at the recent attention to small amps. It's growing rapidly.

Prediction (and predictions from me are almost always right):

There will soon be many varieties of products designed to give genuine power tube distortion, and even genuine speaker stress, at low room-noise levels. There will be a great interest in these products. Many people will buy them. They will be prominently reviewed. They will be at least as big a trend as rack mount has been so far. I hope they stay on the market this time and are not discontinued due to lack of awareness.

If anyone can truly package this gear to make genuine cranked-amp tones ergonomically effortless to obtain and manage, many more people will play electric guitar, and the guitar equipment industry will boom much more than it has.